Examples are used to illustrate a point, to give it some shape. Examples add a level of specificity to writing and allow the reader to understand the writer’s meaning. In other words, relevant and specific examples “back up” the point the writer is trying to make as well as leave the reader with a more complete mental picture.
Guiding Question for Adding Examples What point is being made? What type of example would help illustrate this point? Is the example specific and relevant?
A Paragraph Outline:
Topic Sentence: There are several effective ways to study to boost long-term memory of the subject matter.
I. Study over several short sessions as opposed to one long session.
II. Utilize study partners or study groups to create opportunities to discuss information.
III. Organize the information into categories or hierarchies.
Can you add examples to illustrate any of these supporting points?
Beyond examples, thorough explanations are another under-used type of support in student writing. Be sure to clarify your meaning by completely explaining your idea.
Recognizing Effective Support The following two paragraphs address the same topic: working in a coffeehouse. Both paragraphs demonstrate the use of personal experiences to add support. Notice the differences between the two.
1Working in a coffeehouse is a lot of work. One part of the job that is a lot of work is making the coffee. There is a lot of it to make, and it always needs to be made. Grinding the coffee is also part of making it. Another way that a coffeehouse job is hard work is in cleaning up. The coffeehouse gets messy, and it has to be maintained regularly. This was a big part of my job. It seemed like the cleaning never stopped. Last of all, dealing with people is difficult. I could never get used to dealing with so many people and in so many ways. Just thinking about that job makes me tired.
2Working in a coffeehouse is much more difficult than people realize. First, there’s so much information to keep track of. Not only are there several different types of coffees to have knowledge of, such as Brazilian or French Roast, but there are also many combinations of drinks that can be made from those coffees. In my five years at the Coffee Cup, I learned how to make many different coffee drink mixtures: Mexican Mocha, Americano, Vanilla Latte and Double Cappuccino, to name a few. Thinking about all of those coffee mixtures makes my head spin. In addition to learning all the information, there is a lot of physical work to do. Of course, the coffee needs to be made. Then, there are all the tables and chairs to wipe down after sticky hands have touched them. Plus, there are always dishes that need washing. At the end of a workday, my hands would be raw from all the cleaning. Finally, dealing with people is a challenge. Some people are really easy to serve and just want black coffee or a standard drink. Other people, though, have to have their coffee drinks made a in a very specific way requiring intricate directions. For example, one time a customer ordered a triple mocha, with two shots of regular espresso and one shot of decaffeinated, nonfat milk, only one pump of chocolate and just a tiny squirt of whipped cream on top, oh, and on ice, please! We got it right, but not without careful attention to detail and fear that we’d have to do it again if even one thing was wrong. I now understand that working in a coffeehouse is not just a simple service job but truly hard work!
Examples are used to illustrate a point, to give it some shape. Examples add a level of specificity to writing and allow the reader to understand the writer’s meaning. In other words, relevant and specific examples “back up” the point the writer is trying to make as well as leave the reader with a more complete mental picture.
Guiding Question for Adding Examples
What point is being made?
What type of example would help illustrate this point?
Is the example specific and relevant?
A Paragraph Outline:
Topic Sentence: There are several effective ways to study to boost long-term memory of the subject matter.
I. Study over several short sessions as opposed to one long session.
II. Utilize study partners or study groups to create opportunities to discuss information.
III. Organize the information into categories or hierarchies.
Can you add examples to illustrate any of these supporting points?
Beyond examples, thorough explanations are another under-used type of support in student writing. Be sure to clarify your meaning by completely explaining your idea.
Recognizing Effective Support The following two paragraphs address the same topic: working in a coffeehouse. Both paragraphs demonstrate the use of personal experiences to add support. Notice the differences between the two.
1 Working in a coffeehouse is a lot of work. One part of the job that is a lot of work is making the coffee. There is a lot of it to make, and it always needs to be made. Grinding the coffee is also part of making it. Another way that a coffeehouse job is hard work is in cleaning up. The coffeehouse gets messy, and it has to be maintained regularly. This was a big part of my job. It seemed like the cleaning never stopped. Last of all, dealing with people is difficult. I could never get used to dealing with so many people and in so many ways. Just thinking about that job makes me tired.
2 Working in a coffeehouse is much more difficult than people realize. First, there’s so much information to keep track of. Not only are there several different types of coffees to have knowledge of, such as Brazilian or French Roast, but there are also many combinations of drinks that can be made from those coffees. In my five years at the Coffee Cup, I learned how to make many different coffee drink mixtures: Mexican Mocha, Americano, Vanilla Latte and Double Cappuccino, to name a few. Thinking about all of those coffee mixtures makes my head spin. In addition to learning all the information, there is a lot of physical work to do. Of course, the coffee needs to be made. Then, there are all the tables and chairs to wipe down after sticky hands have touched them. Plus, there are always dishes that need washing. At the end of a workday, my hands would be raw from all the cleaning. Finally, dealing with people is a challenge. Some people are really easy to serve and just want black coffee or a standard drink. Other people, though, have to have their coffee drinks made a in a very specific way requiring intricate directions. For example, one time a customer ordered a triple mocha, with two shots of regular espresso and one shot of decaffeinated, nonfat milk, only one pump of chocolate and just a tiny squirt of whipped cream on top, oh, and on ice, please! We got it right, but not without careful attention to detail and fear that we’d have to do it again if even one thing was wrong. I now understand that working in a coffeehouse is not just a simple service job but truly hard work!